Electrical measuring cartridge, as well as electrical measuring apparatus and electrical measuring method

ABSTRACT

There is provided an electrical measuring cartridge of a biological sample, the electrical measuring cartridge including at least a plurality of biological sample holding sections each being configured to contain the biological sample, and a pair of electrical conductive sections fixed to each of the biological sample holding sections.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2014-041915 filed Mar. 4, 2014, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates to an electrical measuring cartridge formeasuring electrical properties of a biological sample. Moreparticularly, the present technology relates to an electrical measuringcartridge of a biological sample, in which the electrical measuringcartridge enables a plurality of electrical measurements to be performedsimply and at high accuracy. The present technology also relates to anelectrical measuring apparatus and an electrical measuring method usingthe electrical measuring cartridge.

Measurement of electrical properties of a biological sample,determination of physical properties of the biological sample from themeasurement result, and discrimination of a kind of cell or the likeincluded in the biological sample, and so on, are performed (forexample, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-042141). Themeasured electrical properties may be complex permittivity or frequencydispersion (a dielectric spectrum) thereof. The complex permittivity orthe frequency dispersion is generally calculated by measuring a complexcapacitance and complex impedance between electrodes using a solutionretainer or the like including the electrodes configured to apply avoltage to a solution.

In addition, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2010-181400, a technology of obtaining information related to bloodcoagulation from permittivity of blood is disclosed, and “a bloodcoagulation system analysis device including a pair of electrodes, anapplication unit configured to apply an alternating current voltage tothe pair of electrodes at predetermined time intervals, a measurementunit configured to measure the permittivity of the blood disposedbetween the pair of electrodes, and an analysis unit configured toanalyze a level of function of the blood coagulation system using thepermittivity of the blood measured at the time intervals after an actionof the anticoagulant agent functioned in the blood is released” isdisclosed.

When the electrical properties of the biological sample are measured, asa container configured to accommodate the biological sample, forexample, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-052906 disclosesa sample cartridge having a cylindrical body made of an insulatingmaterial, configured to hold the biological sample in a region includingsurfaces of electrodes inserted into an inner hole from both of endopenings and a surface of the inner hole, and in which a constrictionsection disposed between the two opposite electrodes and formed byconstricting the inner hole is installed at that region, measuringelectrical properties of a biological sample.

Here, when measuring electrical properties of a biological sample, aplurality of measurements is performed in many cases, and determinationis made in a comprehensive manner from the obtained plurality ofmeasurement results.

However, the sample cartridge that measures electrical properties of abiological sample disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2012-052906 has only one region where a biological sample can be held.Therefore, the sample cartridge in the conventional form comes to benecessary for each measurement when performing a plurality ofmeasurements, and thus has not matched practical situations whenmeasuring electrical properties.

SUMMARY

Since the electrical measuring cartridge in the conventional form comesto be necessary for each measurement when performing a plurality ofmeasurements, there has been a problem that handling and data managementof a biological sample for each measurement become complicated, and ameasurement mechanism of the electrical measuring apparatus becomescomplicated.

To address this concern, it is desirable to provide an electricalmeasuring cartridge of a biological sample, in which the electricalmeasuring cartridge enables a plurality of electrical measurements to beperformed simply and at high accuracy.

The inventors of the present application have intensively conductedresearch on a structure of a cartridge used when measuring electricalproperties of a biological sample. As a result, the inventors haveachieved the present technology by devising a structure in which aplurality of regions each being capable of holding a biological sampleis provided within one cartridge.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan electrical measuring cartridge of a biological sample, the electricalmeasuring cartridge including at least a plurality of biological sampleholding sections each being configured to contain the biological sample,and a pair of electrical conductive sections fixed to each of thebiological sample holding sections.

According to the electrical measuring cartridge, the biological sampleholding sections and the electrical conductive sections may beintegrally molded in a state where the electrical conductive sectionsare partly embedded in the biological sample holding sections.

The biological sample holding sections may be made of resin.

The electrical conductive sections may be insert molded and integratedto the biological sample holding sections.

The respective electrical conductive sections fixed to the at least twoor more biological sample holding sections may be aligned along anidentical plane of the cartridge.

The respective electrical conductive sections fixed to the at least twoor more biological sample holding sections are molded by being molded ina state of having linkage sections to which portions of the electricalconductive sections are linked, and then cutting off the linkagesections.

The cutting-off may be performed after the electrical conductivesections are integrally molded to the biological sample holding sectionsalthough a time to cut off the linkage sections is not especiallylimited.

Each of the electrical conductive sections may include at least anelectrode section that comes into contact with the biological sampleduring measurement, and a connection section configured to electricallyconnect to an external circuit.

The electrode sections may be partly used as a common electrode.

A reagent may be enclosed in a part of the biological sample holdingsections.

The biological sample is not especially limited, but may be liquid.

The biological sample may contain a blood component.

The electrical measuring cartridge may be used as a part of anelectrical measuring apparatus appropriately.

Specifically, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,there is provided the electrical measuring apparatus including at least:a cartridge insertion section into which an electrical measuringcartridge of a biological sample is inserted, the electrical measuringcartridge including at least a plurality of biological sample holdingsections each being configured to contain the biological sample, and apair of electrical conductive sections fixed to each of the biologicalsample holding sections; an application unit that applies a voltage tothe electrical conductive sections; and a measurement unit that measuresan electrical property of the sample.

Also, the electrical measuring cartridge according to an embodiment ofthe present technology can be preferably used in an electrical measuringmethod of measuring electrical properties of a biological sample.

The electrical measuring cartridge according to an embodiment of thepresent technology has a plurality of biological sample holding sectionseach configured to contain a biological sample, and a pair of electricalconductive sections fixed to each of the biological sample holdingsections, thereby enabling a plurality of electrical measurements to beperformed simply and at high accuracy. It is noted that the effectsdescribed herein are not necessarily limited, and any one of the effectsdescribed in the present technology may be exerted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment according to the present technology of an electricalmeasuring cartridge 1, FIG. 1B is an arrow end view seen from the L sideof FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is an arrow end view seen from the M side ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment according to the present technology of the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1, and FIG. 2B is an arrow end view seen from the Lside of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a thirdembodiment according to the present technology of the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a fourthembodiment according to the present technology of the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1, and FIG. 4B is an arrow end view seen from the Lside of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a fifthembodiment according to the present technology of the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1, and FIG. 5B is an arrow end view seen from the Lside of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a state (anelectrode array) in which the electrical conductive sections 12according to an embodiment of the present technology are partly linkedto each other via linkage sections 121;

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a sixthembodiment according to the present technology of the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1, FIG. 7B is an arrow end view seen from the L sideof FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7C is an arrow end view seen from the M side ofFIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment according to the present technology of an electrode section122 and a connection section 123;

FIG. 9 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment according to the present technology of an electrode section122 and a connection section 123;

FIG. 10 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a thirdembodiment according to the present technology of an electrode section122 and a connection section 123;

FIG. 11 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a fourthembodiment according to the present technology of an electrode section122 and a connection section 123;

FIG. 12 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a fifthembodiment according to the present technology of an electrode section122 and a connection section 123;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment according to the present technology of an electricalmeasuring apparatus 10;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment according to the present technology of an electricalmeasuring apparatus 10; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment according to the present technology of an electricalmeasuring kit K.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

It is noted that embodiments described below are examples of arepresentative embodiment of the present technology, and do not causethe scope of the present technology to be narrowly interpreted. It isnoted that description will be provided in the following order.

1. Electrical measuring cartridge 1

(1) Biological sample holding section 11

(2) Electrical conductive section 12

-   -   (a) Linkage section 121    -   (b) Electrode section 122    -   (c) Connection section 123        -   <First embodiment>        -   <Second embodiment>        -   <Third embodiment>        -   <Fourth embodiment>        -   <Fifth embodiment>

(3) Biological sample S

(4) Others

2. Electrical measuring apparatus 10

(1) Cartridge insertion section 2

(2) Application unit 3

(3) Measurement unit 4

(4) Others

3. Electrical measuring kit K

(1) Biological sample introducing member 5

4. Electrical measuring method

1. Electrical Measuring Cartridge 1

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment according to the present technology of an electricalmeasuring cartridge 1. The electrical measuring cartridge 1 according tothe embodiment of the present technology is a cartridge used for holdinga biological sample when measuring electrical properties of thebiological sample. The electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology roughly includes at least abiological sample holding section 11 and an electrical conductivesection 12. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail. Itis noted that although a biological sample S or a reagent R isillustrated for descriptive purposes in the drawings, the biologicalsample S or the reagent R is not included in the electrical measuringcartridge 1 according to the embodiment of the present technology.

(1) Biological Sample Holding Section 11

In the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology, the biological sample holding section 11 is asite used for holding a biological sample S to be measured. Also, theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology includes a plurality of biological sample holdingsections 11. It is noted that “a plurality of” means at least two ormore.

Since the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodimentof the present technology includes the plurality of biological sampleholding sections 11, a plurality of measurement results can be obtainedwith one electrical measuring cartridge 1. Therefore, handling and datamanagement of a plurality of biological samples S become easy, reducinghuman error such as a mix-up of the biological samples S. As a result,there is achieved the improvement of user's convenience and measurementaccuracy when measuring electrical properties.

Also, the use of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology facilitates mechanical switchoverfor each measurement on an electrical measuring apparatus side,resulting in a simple measurement mechanism for the apparatus to berealized. Furthermore, a cost of the apparatus itself decreases, while aplurality of electrical measurements can be performed at high accuracy.

When the electrical properties of the biological sample S are measured,a set of a predetermined plurality of measurements is usually executed.For example, when the electrical properties of blood as the biologicalsample S are measured, a set of a plurality of measurements is executedfor a prothrombin time, a partial thromboplastin time, a plasma thrombintime, and the like. Since the electrical measuring cartridge 1 accordingto the embodiment of the present technology can concurrently perform aplurality of electrical measurements, a cost for each measurement can bereduced when the plurality of measurements is considered as one set.

In the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology, the form of the biological sample holdingsection 11 is not particularly limited, and can be freely designeddepending on the type of the biological sample S, the measurementmethod, the electrical measuring apparatus to be used, and the like.Examples of the form may include a cylindrical body, a polygonal barrelhaving a polygonal cross section (triangle, square, or more), a circularcone, a polygonal cone having a polygonal cross section (triangle,square, or more), and one or a combination of two or more thereof.

In the present technology, the biological sample holding section 11preferably has a form in which at least a portion on which theelectrical conductive section 12 is disposed is planar. In general, anelectrode used when measuring electrical properties often has a planeror plate-like form. In the biological sample holding section 11according to the embodiment of the present technology, when thecylindrical shape is selected, the electrical conductive section 12having a planer or plate-like shape comes to be attached to a curvedportion, causing a manufacturing process to become extraordinarilycomplicated. Also, when the electrical conductive section 12 having aplaner or plate-like shape is attached to the curved portion of thebiological sample holding section 11, a step is likely to be generatedat a connection portion between the biological sample holding section 11and the electrical conductive section 12. Accordingly, measurementaccuracy sometimes decreases when measuring electrical properties.Therefore, in the biological sample holding section 11, thesimplification of a manufacturing process of the electrical measuringcartridge 1 and the improvement of measurement accuracy can be achievedby selecting the form in which at least a portion on which theelectrical conductive section 12 is disposed is planer.

Also, in the present technology, the biological sample holding sections11 are designed, as illustrated in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1A to1C, such that each of the biological sample holding sections 11independently forms a region that can hold the biological sample S.Accordingly, the biological samples S are not mixed with each otheramong the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11. Therefore,the use of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology enables a plurality of electricalmeasurements to be performed concurrently and at high accuracy.

Furthermore, although the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according tothe embodiment of the present technology illustrated in the firstembodiment of FIGS. 1A to 1C has a form for performing two electricalmeasurements, the number of biological sample holding sections 11 can beappropriately increased or decreased, depending on the number ofelectrical measurements, the measurement items, the number ofmeasurement objects (the number of specimens), and the like.

Specifically, the number of biological sample holding sections 11 may beset to be three which are arranged in line to provide a structure asillustrated in a second embodiment of FIG. 2, or the number of thebiological sample holding sections 11 may be set to be four which arearranged in two lines to provide a structure as illustrated in a sixthembodiment of FIGS. 7A to 7C.

Also, the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11 accordingto the embodiment of the present technology may be structured so as tohave sizes and forms identical to each other as illustrated in the firstembodiment of FIGS. 1A to 1C. Alternatively, although not illustrated inthe drawings, the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11 maybe structured such that each thereof has a combination of a differentsize and a different form.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, in a state inwhich the biological sample S is held in the biological sample holdingsection 11, various kinds of electrical measurement is performed. Forthis reason, the biological sample holding section 11 may be configuredto be sealable in a state in which the biological sample S is held.However, a time to perform various kinds of electrical measurement ofthe biological sample S may be delayed, and the section may not beconfigured to be sealable as long as the measurement is not influenced.

An introducing or encapsulating method of the biological sample S intothe biological sample holding section 11 is not particularly limited,and the biological sample S can be introduced or encapsulated in anoptional method depending on the form of the biological sample holdingsection 11. An example thereof may include, although not illustrated inthe drawings, a method of introducing the biological sample S into thebiological sample holding section 11 using a pipette. When alater-described closing unit 13 is disposed, other examples thereof mayinclude: a method of introducing the biological sample S using a pipetteor the like and thereafter closing with the closing unit 13 forencapsulating; and a method of sticking and inserting an injectionneedle from an outer surface of the biological sample holding section 11to inject the biological sample S and thereafter covering the portionpenetrated by the injection needle with grease or the like forencapsulating.

Although a material that can be used for the biological sample holdingsection 11 according to the embodiment of the present technology is notparticularly limited, the biological sample holding section 11 can beformed with resin in the embodiment of the present technology.

In the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology, the kind of resin usable in the biologicalsample holding section 11 is not particularly limited, and one or two ormore kinds of resins that can be appropriately applied to the biologicalsample S may be freely selected and used. For example, a hydrophobic andinsulating polymer such as polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate,polystyrene, acryl, polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like, acopolymer, a blend polymer or the like may be used. In the presenttechnology, in the above-mentioned polymers, in particular, thebiological sample holding section 11 may be made of one or more kinds ofresins selected from polypropylene, polystyrene, acryl, and polysulfone.Since these resins have a property such as a low coagulation activitywith respect to the blood, for example, the container can beappropriately used for measurement of the biological sample containingthe blood.

Also, the reagent R can be enclosed in a part of the biological sampleholding section 11 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology. For example, as illustrated in the second embodiment ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, a method may be included in which the closing unit 13is provided for each of the plurality of biological sample holdingsections 11 according to the embodiment of the present technology, sothat a part of the biological sample holding section 11 is sealable soas to enclose the reagent R in the sealed portion (see W of FIGS. 2A and2B) of the biological sample holding section 11.

The electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology particularly includes the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11, and is therefore excellent in the managementof combinations between a plurality of measurement objects and aplurality of types of reagents R, when the plurality of types ofreagents R is previously enclosed in each of the biological sampleholding sections 11.

When the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology is designed such that each of the plurality ofbiological sample holding sections 11 includes the closing unit 13, theform of the closing unit 13 is not particularly limited as long as apart of the biological sample holding section 11 is sealable, and can befreely designed depending on the type of the biological sample S or thereagent R, the measurement method, the electrical measuring apparatus tobe used, and the like. Examples of the form may include a cylindricalbody, a polygonal barrel having a polygonal cross section (triangle,square, or more), a circular cone, a polygonal cone having a polygonalcross section (triangle, square, or more), and one or a combination oftwo or more thereof.

Also, a material that can be used for the closing unit 13 is notparticularly limited, and resin can be used for the formation thereof,in a similar manner to the biological sample holding section 11. It isnoted that the type of resin is similar to those previously described,and therefore description thereof is omitted here.

When the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology includes the closing unit 13, the closing unit 13is preferably designed, as illustrated in the second embodiment of FIGS.2A and 2B, such that the closing unit 13 separates the sealed portion ofthe biological sample holding section 11 and the electrical conductivesection 12. This is because dust or the like, in the air, which causesreduction of measurement accuracy, can be prevented from attaching tothe electrical conductive section 12 or from mixing in the biologicalsample holding section 11. Also, when the biological sample holdingsection 11 is stored, transported or the like in a state of containingthe reagent R, the reagent R can be inhibited from scattering onto aninner wall of the biological sample holding section 11 and onto theelectrical conductive section 12. Therefore, when measuring electricalproperties, the reagent amount effective for the biological sample S canbe maintained, and measurement error or the like due to the reagent Rremained in the electrical conductive section 12 can be reduced.

It is noted that when the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according tothe embodiment of the present technology includes the closing unit 13,although not illustrated in the drawings, the electrical measuringcartridge 1 becomes, during the measurement of electrical properties, ina state where the biological sample S is held in the biological sampleholding section 11, and the closing unit 13 is removed.

In the present technology, the reagent R that can be enclosed in thebiological sample holding section 11 is not particularly limited, andcan be freely selected. Examples thereof may include reagents in a stateof gas, solid, liquid, or the like. More specifically, when themeasurement object is the biological sample S containing a bloodcomponent, there may be included an anticoagulant agent, a coagulationinitiator, and the like.

When the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology includes the closing unit 13, the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1 can also be transported, stored, or the like in astate where the reagent R is previously enclosed in the biologicalsample holding section 11 of the electrical measuring cartridge 1according to the embodiment of the present technology. When the reagentR is previously enclosed, merely by performing a process of removing theclosing unit 13 thereby to open the electrical measuring cartridge 1just before measuring electrical properties, and introducing thebiological sample S to be measured into the biological sample holdingsection 11, measurement of electrical properties can be immediatelyinitiated. For this reason, dust or the like, in the air, which causesreduction of measurement accuracy, can be prevented from mixing in thebiological sample holding section 11, thus achieving the improvement ofmeasurement accuracy. Also, working processes to the initiation ofmeasurement decrease, thereby preventing the complication of measurementprocesses, and also improving the user's convenience.

The electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology can also store the reagent R by a method of cooling,freezing, lyophilization or the like in a state where it is enclosed,depending on the type of a reagent to be used as the reagent R.

(2) Electrical Conductive Section 12

In the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology, the electrical conductive section 12 is a sitethat comes into contact with the biological sample S during electricalmeasurement and is used for applying a necessary voltage to thebiological sample S. Also, the electrical measuring cartridge 1according to the embodiment of the present technology includes a pair ofelectrical conductive sections 12 previously fixed to each of theplurality of biological sample holding sections 11. For this reason, aplurality of electrical measurements can be concurrently performed, anda measurement mechanism of the electrical measuring apparatus can alsobe inhibited from being complicated.

Also, since the pair of electrical conductive sections 12 is providedfor each of the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11, whenmeasuring electrical properties using the electrical measuring cartridge1 according to the embodiment of the present technology, electricalmeasurements can also be performed while appropriately varyingmeasurement conditions such as a voltage for each electrical conductivesection 12 fixed to each biological sample holding section 11, dependingon the type of the biological sample S and the measurement item. Thus,the user's convenience when measuring electrical properties improves.

In the present technology, although a method of fixing the electricalconductive section 12 to the biological sample holding section 11 is notparticularly limited, a method of integrally molding the biologicalsample holding section 11 and the electrical conductive section 12 in astate where a part of the electrical conductive section 12 is embeddedin the biological sample holding section 11 is preferred.

For example, when the electrical conductive section 12 is fixed to thebiological sample holding section 11 with an adhesive, some type ofadhesive used may cause the properties of the biological sample S to beadversely affected. As a more specific example, when measuring theelectrical properties of blood as the biological sample S, some type ofadhesive used may promote blood coagulation activity, thus adverselyaffecting the intended measurement. However, the adverse effect by afixing material such as an adhesive on the biological sample S can beeliminated by employing a method of integrally molding the biologicalsample holding section 11 and the electrical conductive section 12, thatis, a method of fixing the biological sample holding section 11 and theelectrical conductive section 12 without using a fixing material such asan adhesive. As a result, the measurement accuracy when measuringelectrical properties improves.

Even if a fixing material having less effect on the biological sample Sis used, an adhesion process with the fixing material is added whenmanufacturing the cartridge for containing a biological sample, thusraising a problem that productivity is poor. However, when the method ofintegrally molding the biological sample holding section 11 and theelectrical conductive section 12 is employed, the adhesion process doesnot have to be separately provided, in addition to the molding processof the biological sample holding section 11. As a result, manufacture ofthe electrical measuring cartridge 1 becomes easier, and the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology can be produced at low cost and in large amounts.

Also, there is a method of measuring electrical properties in a statewhere an electrode is inserted from an outside into a cartridge thatcontains a biological sample. However, in this method, there is aproblem that a difference in insertion amount of an electrode into abiological sample causes measurement error. However, the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology includes the electrical conductive section 12 previouslyfixed to each of the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11.Thus, the measurement error due to a difference in insertion amount ofan electrode into a biological sample can be eliminated. Therefore, themeasurement accuracy during electrical measurement improves.

Furthermore, since the electrical conductive section 12 is previouslyfixed to each of the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11,a relative positioning mechanism between an electrode and a cartridgethat contains a biological sample, or the like does not have to bedisposed to an apparatus side, thus achieving the simplification of astructure on the apparatus side. This can also contribute to therealization of a miniaturized electrical measuring apparatus and areduced cost of the apparatus, a simplified manufacturing process of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1, and the like.

In the present technology, a specific method of integrally molding thebiological sample holding section 11 and the electrical conductivesection 12 is not particularly limited, and an optional method can beused. For example, when the biological sample holding section 11 isformed of resin, the electrical conductive section 12 is disposed at aprescribed position when the resin is solidified from a molten state,thereby enabling the biological sample holding section 11 and theelectrical conductive section 12 to be integrally molded. A morespecific example thereof may include a method of integrally molding thebiological sample holding section 11 and the electrical conductivesection 12 by a so-called insert molding in which the electricalconductive section 12 is inserted in a mold and resin is injected aroundthe electrical conductive section 12 to unify the electrical conductivesection 12 with the resin.

Since the electrical conductive section 12 is fixed concurrently whenthe biological sample holding section 11 is molded as described above, amanufacturing process of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 can besimplified. Therefore, the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according tothe embodiment of the present technology can be produced at low cost andin large amounts.

The electrical conductive section 12 is made of a material havingelectrical conductivity. In the electrical measuring cartridge 1according to the embodiment of the present technology, the kind ofmaterial having electrical conductivity used in the electricalconductive section 12 is not particularly limited, and one or two ormore kinds of materials that can be appropriately applied to electricalmeasurement of the biological sample S can be freely selected and used.For example, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, platinum, gold,copper, graphite, or the like may be used. In the present technology,among the materials, in particular, the electrical conductive section 12may be made of a material having electrical conductivity and includingtitanium. Since titanium has a property such as a low coagulationactivity with respect to the blood, for example, titanium can beappropriately used for measurement of the biological sample S containingthe blood.

Also, in the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology, the number of electricalconductive sections 12 fixed to each of the biological sample holdingsections 11 can be freely designed for one biological sample holdingsection 11 depending on the intended electrical measurement method orthe like. For example, when measuring permittivity and impedance of thebiological sample S, a pair or more of electrical conductive sections 12can be designed for one biological sample holding section 11.

Furthermore, the arrangement, form or the like of the electricalconductive section 12 is also not particularly limited, and can befreely designed depending on the form of the biological sample holdingsection 11, the measurement method, the electrical measuring apparatusto be used, and the like, as long as it can apply a necessary voltage tothe biological sample S. In the present technology, especially, in orderto improve measurement efficiency, as illustrated in the firstembodiment of FIGS. 1A to 1C, a connection location between thebiological sample holding section 11 and the electrical conductivesection 12 preferably comes in planar contact with the biological sampleS. For example, as illustrated in a fourth embodiment of FIGS. 4A and4B, when a step exists on an inner wall of the biological sample holdingsection 11, air bubbles remain in the stepped portion (see a broken lineportion X of FIG. 4B), and the concentration of a reagent varies in thestepped portion, thus possibly having adverse effects on the measurementvalue. Therefore, by integrally molding the biological sample holdingsection 11 and the electrical conductive section 12 so that theconnection location becomes smooth as in the first embodiment of FIGS.1A to 1C, the adverse effects due to air bubbles and the variedconcentration of a sample can be eliminated, and the measurementaccuracy during electrical measurement can be improved.

In addition, when the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology includes the one or more pairs ofthe electrical conductive section 12, the electrical conductive section12 may be disposed in parallel while measuring the electrical propertiesof the biological sample S. However, for example, in consideration ofrelease characteristics or the like when the insert molding or the likeis performed, the respective electrical conductive section 12 can bedisposed in a state in which several inclinations are provided.

Also, although very rare, a difference in distortion between a resin andan electrical conduction material may cause the biological sample S toleak from a boundary between the biological sample holding section 11and the electrical conductive section 12, depending on storageconditions such as temperatures and the measurement conditions.Therefore, the electrical conductive section 12 includes, as illustratedin a fifth embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, a meandering portion (see abroken line portion Y of FIG. 5B) in a part of the structure where theelectrical conductive section 12 is fixed to the biological sampleholding section 11, so as to inhibit the leaking of the biologicalsample S from the boundary between the biological sample holding section11 and the electrical conductive section 12 more surely than the firstembodiment (see FIG. 1C) of FIGS. 1A to 1C which does not include ameandering portion.

Also, since the electrical conductive section 12 includes a meanderingportion as described above, the biological sample holding section 11 andthe electrical conductive section 12 are more firmly fixed to eachother, thus enabling the robust electrical measuring cartridge 1 to beformed.

Furthermore, the electrical conductive sections 12 according to theembodiment of the present technology are, as illustrated in the fifthembodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, fixed to at least two or more biologicalsample holding sections 11, and the electrical conductive sections 12can be aligned along an identical plane of the electrical measuringcartridge 1.

Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a thirdembodiment of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology, and is an example in which theelectrical conductive sections 12 are not arranged along an identicalplane of the electrical measuring cartridge 1. Also, FIG. 4A is aschematic diagram schematically illustrating a fourth embodiment of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology, and is an example in which the electrical conductivesections 12 are arranged, but not aligned, along an identical plane ofthe electrical measuring cartridge 1 .

When the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology is the fifth embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, thecomplication of a measurement mechanism of an electrical device can beinhibited, and the measurement accuracy during electrical measurementcan be improved, compared to the third embodiment of FIG. 3 and thefourth embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B. Also, this can contribute to therealization of a miniaturized electrical measuring apparatus and areduced cost of the apparatus, a simplified manufacturing process of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1, and the like.

(a) Linkage Section 121

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a state (anelectrode array) where the plurality of electrical conductive sections12 are partly linked to each other via linkage sections 121. Theplurality of electrical conductive sections 12 according to theembodiment of the present technology can be molded by being molded in astate where parts of the electrical conductive sections 12 are linked toeach other, and then cutting off the linkage sections 121 along cuttinglines (see broken line arrows of FIG. 6).

A specific example thereof may include a method of molding the pluralityof electrical conductive sections 12 by a method of press processing orthe like, into a state of being partly linked to each other via thelinkage sections 121 which have been previously formed so as to beeasily cut and to a degree such that rapture is not caused, and thencutting off the linkage sections 121 by simple processing. The reasonwhy the linkage sections 121 are previously formed so as to be easilycut is that the electrical conductive sections 12 can be easilyseparated from each other by simple processing. Also, the reason why thelinkage sections 121 are formed to a degree such that rapture is notcaused is that when cutting off the linkage sections 121 afterintegrally molding the biological sample holding sections 11 and theelectrical conductive sections 12 by insert molding, the resin flow,mold sliding, and the like do not cause the linkage sections 121 toeasily rapture.

Also, in the present technology, although the simple processing forcutting off the linkage sections 121 is not particularly limited,examples thereof may include a method using laser and a method by pressprocessing.

Although a timing when the linkage sections 121 are cut off in themanufacturing process of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 accordingto the embodiment of the present technology is not particularly limited,it is preferred that the cutting-off is performed after the electricalconductive sections 12 have been integrally molded to the biologicalsample holding sections 11. An example thereof when the biologicalsample holding sections 11 and the electrical conductive sections 12 areintegrally molded by insert molding may include a method of holding anelectrode array in a mold or the like and insert molding the electricalconductive sections 12 to the biological sample holding sections 11, andthen cutting off the linkage sections 121.

Since the linkage sections 121 are cut off at the above-describedtiming, the electrical conductive sections 12 do not have to besubjected to the process of being fixed one by one to the plurality ofbiological sample holding sections 11 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology in the manufacturing process of the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1. Thus, the electrical conductive sections 12 canbe efficiently fixed to each of the plurality of biological sampleholding sections 11. Therefore, the simplified manufacturing process ofthe electrical measuring cartridge 1 can be realized.

Also, for example, when the biological sample holding sections 11 andthe electrical conductive sections 12 are integrally molded by insertmolding, the decrease of the number of parts during insert-moldingreduces the number of processing objects in the manufacturing process,and facilitates the manufacture of the electrical measuring cartridge 1.Therefore, the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology can be produced at low cost and inlarge amounts.

Furthermore, when the plurality of electrical conductive sections 12 arealigned along an identical plane of the electrical measuring cartridge 1as illustrated in the fifth embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, cutting-offof the linkage sections 121 at the above-described timing allows theplurality of electrical conductive sections 12 to be easily aligned atpredetermined positions of the biological sample holding sections 11.Therefore, the manufacturing process of the electrical measuringcartridge 1 can be simplified, thus improving productivity.

In addition, determination on cutting locations of the electrode arrayaccording to the purposes of electrical measurements, the estimatedmagnitude of signals, and the like, enables the electrical measuringcartridge 1 according to the embodiment of the present technology to bechanged to have an optional conductive pair.

Specifically, of the plurality of electrical conductive sections 12according to the embodiment of the present technology, an optional partof the electrical conductive sections 12 may be remained in a state ofbeing linked to each other via the linkage sections 121, thus allowingthe optional part of the electrical conductive sections 12 to bemeasured at the same potential. This is because when measuringelectrical properties, there are some cases where measurement at thesame potential has better measurement efficiency from the viewpoint of asignal/noise ratio, for example, in measurement with small signals.

Also, cutting-off of the linkage sections 121 at the above-describedtiming to determine an optional conductive pair is useful when, forexample, desiring to use the electrical measuring cartridge 1 accordingto the embodiment of the present technology in the measurement withsmall signals. For example, prior to the cutting-off of the linkagesections 121, the electrical measuring cartridge 1 can be manufacturedin the same manufacturing process as when desired to be used in anothermeasurement. Therefore, while the manufacturing process of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 is simplified, the structure of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 can be optimized according to theintended electrical measurement or the like.

The electrical conductive section 12 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology may include an electrode section 122 and a connectionsection 123. Hereinafter, each section will be described in detail.

(b) Electrode Section 122

The electrode section 122 is a site that comes into contact with thebiological sample S during electrical measurement to apply a necessaryvoltage to the biological sample S. In the electrical measuringcartridge 1 according to the embodiment of the present technology, thenumber of electrode sections 122 fixed to each of the biological sampleholding sections 11 can be freely designed for one biological sampleholding section 11 depending on the intended electrical measurementmethod or the like. For example, when measuring permittivity andimpedance of the biological sample S, a pair or more of electrodesections 122 can be designed for one biological sample holding section11.

Also, the arrangement, form or the like of the electrode section 122 isnot particularly limited, and can be freely designed depending on theform of the biological sample holding section 11, the measurementmethod, the electrical measuring apparatus to be used, and the like, aslong as it can apply a necessary voltage to the biological sample S. Inthe present technology, especially, in order to improve measurementefficiency, the electrode section 122 preferably comes in planar contactwith the biological sample S. For example, a portion, of the electrodesection 122, that comes into contact with the biological sample S, maybe formed with a wide width, thus enabling planar contact with thebiological sample S.

The electrode sections 122 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology can be partly used, as illustrated in a sixth embodiment ofFIGS. 7A to 7C, as a common electrode (see 122 a of FIGS. 7A to 7C).When the electrode sections 122 are partly used as a common electrode122 a, the number of electrode sections 122 for which the processing tothe plurality of biological sample holding sections 11 is necessary canbe reduced. Therefore, the number of processing objects in themanufacturing process of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 decreases,thus enabling the simplification of the manufacturing process.Therefore, the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology can be produced at low cost and inlarge amounts.

Also, when the electrode sections 122 are partly used as the commonelectrode 122 a, heat transfer conditions to the electrode sections 122can be partly set as being equivalent. Accordingly, the improvement inmeasurement accuracy during electrical measurement is realized.

On the other hand, an electrode that is paired with the common electrode122 a has to be independent. Therefore, the electrode that is pairedwith the common electrode 122 a has to be processed to be separated. Itis noted that the electrode to be paired with the common electrode 122 amay be the electrode section 122 b as in the sixth embodiment of FIGS.7A to 7C or a later-described third embodiment of FIG. 10, or may be theelectrical conductive section 12 the whole of which functions as theelectrode section 122 as in a fifth embodiment of FIG. 12.

(c) Connection Section 123

The connection section 123 is a site that is electrically connected toan external circuit. The arrangement, form or the like of the connectionsection 123 is not particularly limited, and can be designed to have anoptional form depending on the intended electrical measuring method andthe like, as long as it can be electrically connected to an externalcircuit. Hereinafter, an arrangement example of the electrode section122 and the connection section 123 will be described in detail.

First Embodiment

FIG. 8 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment of the electrode section 122 and the connection section 123according to the embodiment of the present technology, and is an examplein which the pair of electrical conductive sections 12 are arranged soas to run along an inner wall of the biological sample holding section11. More specifically, in the example, in a state where a portion of theelectrical conductive section 12 is embedded in a side wall of thebiological sample holding section 11, the electrode section 122 isdisposed inside the biological sample holding section 11, and theconnection section 123 is disposed outside the biological sample holdingsection 11.

In the first embodiment of FIG. 8, the connection section 123 isdisposed in a state of projecting from the side wall of the biologicalsample holding section 11. When measuring electrical properties in thefirst embodiment, electrical connection is performed by bringing a probeof an apparatus side into contact with a part of each connection section123 from a side of the biological sample holding section 11 asillustrated in FIG. 8.

Also, the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodimentof the present technology may have a structure in which resin or thelike is not provided on an outside portion of each of the pair ofelectrical conductive sections 12, as illustrated in the firstembodiment of FIG. 8. With such a structure, for example, the electricalconductive section 12 can be positioned and fixed using a magnetic unitsuch as a magnet when molding the biological sample holding section 11,thus enabling the electrical conductive section 12 to be positioned at apredetermined position on the electrical measuring cartridge 1. It isnoted that a fixing mechanism of the electrical conductive section 12from an outside of a cartridge is not limited to the above-describedmagnetic unit, and any unit can be used as long as it can fix theelectrical conductive section 12 from an outside of a cartridge.

Furthermore, at least a part of the electrical conductive section 12 maybe allowed to function as a holding section for arranging the electricalconductive section 12 at a predetermined position of the biologicalsample holding section 11 during integral molding, thereby enabling easymanufacture of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 in which theelectrical conductive section 12 is precisely positioned at apredetermined position. Also, fixing the electrical conductive section12 from an outside of a cartridge while molding the biological sampleholding section 11 can also inhibit deformation of the electricalconductive section 12.

Furthermore, when the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to theembodiment of the present technology has a structure in which resin orthe like is not provided on the cartridge outside portion of each of thepair of electrical conductive sections 12 as illustrated in the firstembodiment of FIG. 8, electrical connection can also be performed bybringing a probe of an apparatus side into contact with a part of eachelectrical conductive section 12, through a portion (see a broken lineportion Z of FIG. 8), on the cartridge outside portion of each of thepair of electrical conductive sections 12, where resin or the like isnot provided, while measuring electrical properties.

It is noted that when the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according tothe embodiment of the present technology has a structure in which resinor the like is not provided on the cartridge outside potion of theelectrical conductive section 12, although not illustrated in thedrawings, the electrical conductive section 12 constituting theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 may be the electrical conductivesection 12 the whole of which functions as the electrode section 122.Even in this case, electrical connection is performed by bringing aprobe of an apparatus side into contact with a part of the electricalconductive section 12, through a portion, of the cartridge outsideportion of each of the pair of electrical conductive sections 12, whereresin or the like is not provided.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 9 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment of the electrode section 122 and the connection section 123according to the embodiment of the present technology, and is an examplein which each of the pair of electrical conductive sections 12 isarranged so as to run along a vicinity of a lower inner wall of thebiological sample holding section 11. More specifically, in the example,in a state where the electrical conductive section 12 is embedded arounda lower side wall of the biological sample holding section 11, theelectrode section 122 and the connection section 123 are disposed insidethe biological sample holding section 11.

In the second embodiment of FIG. 9, the connection section 123 isdisposed in a state of being embedded in a bottom wall portion of thebiological sample holding section 11. When measuring electricalproperties in the second embodiment, electrical connection is performedby bringing a probe of an apparatus side into contact with a part ofeach connection section 123 from a bottom of the biological sampleholding section 11 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In the present technology, the form of electrical connection by a probeof an apparatus side may be freely selected depending on thearrangement, form and the like of the electrode section 122 and theconnection section 123. For example, as described above, a probe of anapparatus side may come into contact with a part of the connectionsection 123 through a side wall, a bottom or the like of the electricalmeasuring cartridge 1, so as to bring the electrical measuring cartridge1 into contact with an electrical apparatus.

Also, a method of bringing the probe of an apparatus side into contactwith a part of the connection section 123 can be appropriately andfreely selected. Examples thereof may include a method of designing aprobe so as to contract by itself and applying an appropriate loadthereby to maintain a state of being in contact with a part of theconnection section 123, and a method of using a plate spring or the liketo come into contact with a part of the connection section 123.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 10 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a thirdembodiment of the electrode section 122 and the connection section 123according to the embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 10 is anexample in which a part of the electrode sections 122 according to theembodiment of the present technology is set as the common electrode 122a. More specifically, in the example, the common electrode 122 a isdisposed so as to lie between side walls of the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11, and the connection section 123 a linked tothe common electrode 122 a is disposed so as to lie between bottom wallsof the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11. Furthermore,the electrode section 122 b to be paired with the common electrode 122 ais disposed inside the biological sample holding section 11, and theconnection section 123 b linked to the electrode section 122 b isdisposed outside the biological sample holding section 11. It is notedthat in the third embodiment, an electrode to be paired with the commonelectrode 122 a is the electrode section 122 b.

In the third embodiment of FIG. 10, the connection section 123 a linkedto the common electrode 122 a is disposed in a state of being embeddedso as to lie between the bottom walls of the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11, and the connection section 123 b linked tothe electrode section 122 b is disposed in a state of projecting fromthe side wall of the biological sample holding section 11. Whenmeasuring electrical properties in the third embodiment, electricalconnection is performed by bringing a probe of an apparatus side intocontact with a part of the connection section 123 a from the bottom ofthe biological sample holding section 11, and a part of the connectionsection 123 b from the side of the biological sample holding section 11,as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 11 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a fourthembodiment of the electrode section 122 and the connection section 123according to the embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 11 is anexample in which a part of the electrode sections 122 according to theembodiment of the present technology is set as the common electrode 122a. More specifically, in the example, the common electrode 122 a isdisposed so as to lie between side walls of the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11, and the connection section 123 a linked tothe common electrode 122 a is disposed so as to lie between bottom wallsof the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11. Furthermore,the electrode section 122 b to be paired with the common electrode 122 aand the connection section 123 b linked to the electrode section 122 bare disposed inside the biological sample holding section 11.

In the fourth embodiment of FIG. 11, the connection section 123 a linkedto the common electrode 122 a is disposed in a state of being embeddedso as to lie between the bottom walls of the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11, and the connection section 123 b linked tothe electrode section 122 b is also disposed in a state of beingembedded in the bottom wall of the biological sample holding section 11.When measuring electrical properties in the fourth embodiment,electrical connection is performed by bringing a probe of an apparatusside into contact with a part of each connection section (123 a and 123b) from the bottom of the biological sample holding section 11 asillustrated in FIG. 11.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 12 is an end schematic diagram schematically illustrating a fifthembodiment of the electrode section 122 and the connection section 123according to the embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 12 is anexample in which a part of the electrode sections 122 according to theembodiment of the present technology is set as the common electrode 122a. More specifically, in the example, the common electrode 122 a isdisposed so as to lie between side walls of the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11, and the connection section 123 a linked tothe common electrode 122 a is disposed so as to lie between bottom wallsof the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11. Furthermore,the electrical conductive section 12 to be paired with the commonelectrode 122 a is disposed inside the biological sample holding section11. It is noted that in the fifth embodiment, an electrode to be pairedwith the common electrode 122 a is the electrical conductive section 12the whole of which functions as the electrode section 122.

In the fifth embodiment of FIG. 12, the connection section 123 a linkedto the common electrode 122 a is disposed in a state of being embeddedso as to lie between the bottom walls of the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11, and the electrical conductive section 12 tobe paired with the common electrode 122 a is disposed in a state offorming a part of the side wall of the biological sample holding section11. When measuring electrical properties in the fifth embodiment,electrical connection is performed by bringing a probe of an apparatusside into contact with a part of the connection section 123 a from thebottom of the biological sample holding section 11, and a part of theelectrical conductive section 12 from the side of the biological sampleholding section 11, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

As described above, in the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according tothe embodiment of the present technology, even when a part of theelectrode sections 122 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology is configured as the common electrode 122 a, the form,arrangement or the like of the electrode section 122, the connectionsection 123, or the electrical conductive section 12 the whole of whichfunctions as the electrode section 122 can be freely designed dependingon the intended electrical measuring method or the like. Also, the formof electrical connection by the probe of an apparatus side, and themethod of bringing the probe of an apparatus side into contact with apart of the connection section 123 can be appropriately and freelyselected.

(3) Biological Sample S

The biological sample S that can be used as the measurement target inthe embodiment of the present technology is not particularly limited,and may be freely selected. For example, the biological sample S in aliquid phase may be provided. More specifically, the biological sample Scontaining blood ingredients such as whole blood, blood plasma, adiluted solution thereof, and/or drug additives, or the like, may beprovided.

(4) Others

The electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology can be produced at low cost and in large amounts asdescribed above. Taking advantage of such characteristics, for example,the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology may be configured as being disposable. When theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology is configured as being disposable, time and laborsuch as washing of a cartridge can be saved, thus achieving theimprovement of user's convenience and the efficient measurement ofelectrical properties. Also, measurement error due to another biologicalsample S remained in the cartridge can be inhibited from occurring, thusalso realizing the improvement of measurement accuracy during electricalmeasurement.

2. Electrical Measuring Apparatus 10

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment of an electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to theembodiment of the present technology. In this embodiment, thepreviously-described electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to thefirst embodiment is used. The electrical measuring apparatus 10according to the embodiment of the present technology of FIG. 13 roughlyincludes at least the previously-described electrical measuringcartridge 1, a cartridge insertion section 2, an application unit 3, anda measurement unit 4. Hereinafter, each component will be described indetail. It is noted that the electrical measuring cartridge 1 is similarto that previously described, and therefore description thereof isomitted here.

(1) Cartridge Insertion Section 2

Into the cartridge insertion section 2 according to the embodiment ofthe present technology, the electrical measuring cartridge 1 accordingto the embodiment of the present technology is inserted. The cartridgeinsertion section 2 can be freely designed depending on the form of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1, and the like.

Also, the cartridge insertion section 2 may include a temperatureadjusting mechanism. The temperature adjusting mechanism is a mechanismthat enables the temperature of the biological sample S held in thebiological sample holding section 11 to be maintained constant. Anexample thereof may include a method of forming the cartridge insertionsection 2 with a heat reserving material, so that the temperature of thebiological sample S is maintained constant in a state where theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology is inserted in the electrical measuring apparatus 10.

(2) Application Unit 3

The application unit 3 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology applies a voltage to the electrical conductive section 12 ofthe electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology. The application unit 3 applies a voltage to theelectrical conductive section 12 of the electrical measuring cartridge 1when an order to initiate measurement is received or when power of theelectrical measuring apparatus 10 is input as a start point. Morespecifically, the application unit 3 applies an alternating currentvoltage having a predetermined frequency to the electrical conductivesection 12 at a set measurement interval. In addition, the voltageapplied by the application unit 3 may be a direct current voltageaccording to the measured electrical properties.

It is noted that the electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to theembodiment of the present technology may include one or a plurality ofapplication units 3. Specifically, when designed as illustrated in thefirst embodiment of FIG. 13, the electrical conductive sections 12 fixedto the plurality of biological sample holding sections 11 of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 can be each configured to be appliedwith a voltage by one application unit 3. Also, when designed asillustrated in a second embodiment of FIG. 14, the electrical conductivesections 12 can be each configured to be applied with a voltage by twoapplication units 3.

More specifically, when the electrical measuring apparatus 10 accordingto the embodiment of the present technology includes one applicationunit 3, there may be provided: a method of applying a voltage byallowing the application unit 3 to scan; a method of fixing the positionof one application unit 3 and moving the electrical measuring cartridge1 itself for applying a voltage; or a method of selecting, by switching,the electrical conductive section 12 to be actually applied with avoltage thereby to apply a voltage to each electrical conductive section12. Also, when the electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to theembodiment of the present technology includes two or more applicationunits 3, there may be provided, for example, a method of selecting, byswitching, one or a plurality of application units 3 to be actuallyapplied with a voltage thereby to apply a voltage.

Also, the electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to the embodimentof the present technology can be designed such that a voltage to beapplied to each electrical conductive section 12 varies depending on thetype of the biological sample S, the measurement method, and the like.For example, when the electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to theembodiment of the present technology include one application unit 3,there may be provided, for example, a method of allowing one applicationunit 3 to scan and vary a voltage when applying the voltage to eachelectrical conductive section 12. Also, when the electrical measuringapparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present technologyincludes two or more application units 3, there may be provided, forexample, a method of setting each application unit 3 at a differentvoltage thereby to vary the voltage.

(3) Measurement Unit 4

The measurement unit 4 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology measures electrical properties of the biological sample Sheld in the electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodimentof the present technology. Specifically, electrical properties such ascomplex permittivity (hereinafter simply referred to as “permittivity”),frequency dispersion thereof, or the like, are measured when an order toinitiate measurement is received or when power of the electricalmeasuring apparatus 10 is input. For example, when the permittivity ismeasured, the measurement unit 4 measures a current or impedance betweenthe electrical conductive sections 12 of the electrical measuringcartridge 1 at a predetermined period, and derives permittivity from themeasured value. In deriving the permittivity, a known function orrelational expression showing a relation between the current orimpedance and the permittivity may be used.

It is noted that the electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to theembodiment of the present technology may include one or a plurality ofmeasurement units 4. Specifically, when designed as illustrated in thefirst embodiment of FIG. 13, electrical properties of each of thebiological samples S held by the plurality of biological sample holdingsections 11 of the electrical measuring cartridge 1 can be configured tobe measured by one measurement unit 4. Also, although not illustrated inthe drawings, electrical properties of each biological sample S can beconfigured to be measured by two or more measurement units 4.

More specifically, when the electrical measuring apparatus 10 accordingto the embodiment of the present technology includes one measurementunit 4, there may be provided, for example: a method of allowing onemeasurement unit 4 to scan thereby to measure electrical properties ofeach of the biological samples S held by the plurality of biologicalsample holding sections 11; a method of fixing the position of onemeasurement unit 4 and moving the electrical measuring cartridge 1itself thereby to measure electrical properties of each biologicalsample S; or a method of selecting, by switching, the biological sampleS to be actually subjected to measurement of electrical propertiesthereby to measure electrical properties of each biological sample S.Also, when the electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to theembodiment of the present technology includes two or more measurementunits 4, there may be provided, for example, a method of selecting, byswitching, one or a plurality of measurement units 4 that actuallymeasure electrical properties thereby to measure the electricalproperties of each biological sample S.

(4) Others

The electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology may further include a positioning mechanism of theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology. When the position of the electrical measuringcartridge 1 is precisely set, the contact position between theelectrical conductive section 12 and the application unit 3 also becomesprecise, thereby achieving the improvement of user's convenience andmeasurement accuracy. For example, there may be provided a method ofdesigning a positioning pin that positions the electrical measuringcartridge 1 in a height direction to the electrical measuring apparatus10.

Further, the measuring apparatus 10 may include an analysis unit whichreceives electrical property data of the biological sample S derivedfrom the measurement unit 4, and performs determination or the like ofphysical properties of the biological sample S. In the electricalmeasuring apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the presenttechnology, the analysis unit may be omitted, and for example, theanalysis may be performed from the measured electrical property datausing an external computer or the like.

Specifically, the electrical property data of the biological sample Sderived from the measurement unit 4 is provided to the analysis unit atmeasurement intervals, and the analysis unit receives the electricalproperty data provided from the measurement unit 5 and startsdetermination or the like of the physical properties of the biologicalsample S. The analysis unit informs of a result of the determination orthe like of the physical properties of the biological sample S and/orpermittivity data. The information may be converted into, for example, agraph to be displayed on a monitor or printed on a predetermined medium.

Furthermore, the electrical measuring apparatus 10 according to theembodiment of the present technology may also include one or a pluralityof analysis units, in a similar manner to the application units 3 andthe measurement units 4 as previously described.

In addition, since the electrical measuring apparatus 10 includes theelectrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology, a measurement result obtained for the biologicalsample S held by one biological sample holding section 11 can be usedfor the purpose of artifact reduction when performing measurement of thebiological sample S held by another biological sample holding section11.

Specifically, for example, when measuring electrical properties ofblood, which is a cell suspension, as the biological sample S,time-dependent sedimentation of cells possibly has adverse effects on ameasurement result such as permittivity. Here, in general, whenelectrically measuring blood coagulability, the electrical measurementof blood is initiated after releasing the anticoagulation state of bloodby adding the reagent R such as an aqueous solution of calcium chlorideimmediately before the initiation of measurement. With the use of theelectrical measuring cartridge according to an embodiment of the presenttechnology, for example, electrical measurement involving only theeffect by the sedimentation of cells is performed without adding thereagent R to one biological sample holding section 11, while electricalmeasurement of blood coagulability also involving the effect by thesedimentation of cells is performed by adding the reagent R to anotherbiological sample holding section 11 to release the anticoagulationstate. Thereafter, one measurement result involving only the effect bythe sedimentation of cells is used to correct the determination resultof coagulability, thereby enabling artifact due to blood sedimentationto be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy during electricalmeasurement can be improved.

3. Electrical Measuring Kit K

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment of an electrical measuring kit K according to an embodimentof the present technology. In this embodiment, the previously-describedelectrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment isused. The electrical measuring kit K according to the embodiment of thepresent technology roughly includes at least the previously-describedelectrical measuring cartridge 1, and a biological sample introducingmember 5. It is noted that the electrical measuring cartridge 1 issimilar to that previously described, and therefore description thereofis omitted here.

(1) Biological Sample Introducing Member 5

The biological sample introducing member 5 is a member configured tointroduce the biological sample S into the biological sample holdingsection 11. An example thereof may include a tip 51 having a pipetteshape, as illustrated in a first embodiment of FIG. 15. Morespecifically, a suction mechanism (for example, a pipetter) is disposedto the previously-described electrical measuring apparatus 10, and thetip 51 is attached to the suction mechanism, thereby enabling thebiological sample S to be introduced.

The biological sample introducing member 5 according to the embodimentof the present technology is not limited to the tip 51 having a pipetteshape illustrated as an example in FIG. 15, and may be freely selecteddepending on the type of the biological sample S, the measurementmethod, the electrical measuring apparatus to be used, and the like, aslong as it is the whole or a portion of a tool with which the biologicalsample S can be introduced into the biological sample holding section11. Another example thereof may include an injection needle, other thanthe tip 51 having a pipette shape.

The biological sample introducing member 5 may be configured as beingdisposable, in a similar manner to the electrical measuring cartridge 1.When the biological sample introducing member 5 is configured as beingdisposable, time and labor such as washing of a tool used for theintroduction of a biological sample can be saved, thus achieving theimprovement of user's convenience and the efficient measurement ofelectrical properties. Also, measurement error due to another biologicalsample S remained in the tool used for the introduction of a biologicalsample can be inhibited from occurring, thus also realizing theimprovement of measurement accuracy during electrical measurement.

4. Electrical Measuring Method

The electrical measuring cartridge 1 according to the embodiment of thepresent technology may be appropriately used to measure the electricalproperties of the biological sample S. The electrical properties thatcan be measured through an electrical measuring method according to theembodiment of the present technology are not particularly limited butmay be freely measured according to the kind of the biological sample S,which is the measurement target, or physical properties to be analyzed.For example, permittivity, impedance, or the like, can be measured.

Using the electrical measuring method according to the embodiment of thepresent technology, for example, when the blood is to be measured as thebiological sample S, a blood coagulation situation or a bloodsedimentation situation can be analyzed from the measurement value ofthe permittivity or impedance. As a more specific example, for example,a parameter showing characteristics from a plurality of permittivityand/or impedance measurement values received during the analysis periodcan be derived, and the blood coagulation situation or the bloodsedimentation situation can be analyzed based on comparison of theparameter with a reference value that determines a reference ofacceleration of blood coagulability or progress of a blood sedimentationprocess.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1) An electrical measuring cartridge of a biological sample, theelectrical measuring cartridge including at least:

a plurality of biological sample holding sections each being configuredto contain the biological sample; and

a pair of electrical conductive sections fixed to each of the biologicalsample holding sections.

(2) The electrical measuring cartridge according to (1), wherein thebiological sample holding sections and the electrical conductivesections are integrally molded in a state where the electricalconductive sections are partly embedded in the biological sample holdingsections.(3) The electrical measuring cartridge according to (1) or (2), whereinthe biological sample holding sections are made of resin.(4) The electrical measuring cartridge according to (3), wherein theelectrical conductive sections are insert molded and integrated to thebiological sample holding sections.(5) The electrical measuring cartridge according to any one of (1) to(4), wherein the respective electrical conductive sections fixed to theat least two or more biological sample holding sections are alignedalong an identical plane of the cartridge.(6) The electrical measuring cartridge according to any one of (1) to(5), wherein the respective electrical conductive sections fixed to theat least two or more biological sample holding sections are molded bybeing molded in a state of having linkage sections to which portions ofthe electrical conductive sections are linked, and then cutting off thelinkage sections.(7) The electrical measuring cartridge according to (6), wherein thecutting-off is performed after the electrical conductive sections areintegrally molded to the biological sample holding sections.(8) The electrical measuring cartridge according to any one of (1) to(7),

wherein each of the electrical conductive sections includes at least:

-   -   an electrode section that comes into contact with the biological        sample during measurement; and    -   a connection section configured to electrically connect to an        external circuit.        (9) The electrical measuring cartridge according to (8), wherein        the electrode sections are partly used as a common electrode.        (10) The electrical measuring cartridge according to any one        of (1) to (9), wherein a reagent is enclosed in a part of the        biological sample holding sections.        (11) The electrical measuring cartridge according to any one        of (1) to (10), wherein the biological sample is liquid.        (12) The electrical measuring cartridge according to any one        of (1) to (11), wherein the biological sample contains a blood        component.        (13) An electrical measuring apparatus including at least:

a cartridge insertion section into which an electrical measuringcartridge of a biological sample is inserted, the electrical measuringcartridge including at least

-   -   a plurality of biological sample holding sections each being        configured to contain the biological sample, and    -   a pair of electrical conductive sections fixed to each of the        biological sample holding sections;

an application unit that applies a voltage to the electrical conductivesections; and

a measurement unit that measures an electrical property of the sample.

(14) An electrical measuring method of a biological sample, the methodincluding:

measuring an electrical property of the biological sample using anelectrical measuring cartridge, the electrical measuring cartridgeincluding at least

-   -   a plurality of biological sample holding sections each being        configured to contain the biological sample; and    -   a pair of electrical conductive sections fixed to each of the        biological sample holding sections.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. An electrical measuring cartridge for analysis of abiological sample, the electrical measuring cartridge comprising atleast: at least one biological sample holding section, each biologicalsample holding section of the at least one biological sample holdingsection being configured to contain the biological sample; a respectivepair of electrical conductive sections respectively fixed to eachbiological sample holding section, one electrical conductive section inthe pair of electrical conductive sections being respectively fixed toone side of a biological sample holding section and a second electricalconductive section in the pair of electrical conductive sections beingrespectively fixed to an opposite side of a biological sample holdingsection; and at least one closing section respectively attached to andconfigured to be nested inside each biological sample holding section toseparate a sealed portion of each biological sample holding section fromeach respective pair of electrical conductive sections.
 16. Theelectrical measuring cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the atleast one biological sample holding section and the electricalconductive sections are integrally molded in a state where theelectrical conductive sections are partly embedded in the at least onebiological sample holding section.
 17. The electrical measuringcartridge according to claim 15, wherein the at least one biologicalsample holding section is made of resin.
 18. The electrical measuringcartridge according to claim 17, wherein the electrical conductivesections are insert molded and integrated to the at least one biologicalsample holding section.
 19. The electrical measuring cartridge accordingto claim 15, wherein the respective electrical conductive sections fixedto each biological sample holding section are aligned along an identicalplane of the cartridge.
 20. The electrical measuring cartridge accordingto claim 15, wherein the respective electrical conductive sections fixedto each biological sample holding section is molded by being molded in astate of having linkage sections to which portions of the electricalconductive sections are linked, and then cutting off the linkagesections.
 21. The electrical measuring cartridge according to claim 15,wherein each of the electrical conductive sections comprises at least:an electrode section that comes into contact with the biological sampleduring measurement; and a connection section configured to electricallyconnect to an external circuit.
 22. The electrical measuring cartridgeaccording to claim 21, wherein the electrode sections partly comprise acommon electrode.
 23. The electrical measuring cartridge according toclaim 15, wherein a reagent is enclosed in a part of the at least onebiological sample holding section.
 24. The electrical measuringcartridge according to claim 15, wherein the biological sample isliquid.
 25. The electrical measuring cartridge according to claim 15,wherein the biological sample contains a blood component.
 26. Anelectrical measuring apparatus comprising at least: a cartridgeinsertion section into which an electrical measuring cartridge foranalysis of a biological sample is inserted, the electrical measuringcartridge including at least at least one biological sample holdingsection, each biological sample holding section of the at least onebiological sample holding section being configured to contain thebiological sample, a respective pair of electrical conductive sectionsrespectively fixed to each biological sample holding section, oneelectrical conductive section in the pair of electrical conductivesections being respectively fixed to one side of a biological sampleholding section and a second electrical conductive section in the pairof electrical conductive sections being respectively fixed to anopposite side of a biological sample holding section; and at least oneclosing section respectively attached to and configured to be nestedinside each biological sample holding section to separate a sealedportion of each biological sample holding section from each respectivepair of electrical conductive sections; an application unit that appliesa voltage to the electrical conductive sections; and a measurement unitthat measures an electrical property of the sample.
 27. An electricalmeasuring method for analysis of a biological sample, the methodcomprising: measuring an electrical property of the biological sampleusing an electrical measuring cartridge, the electrical measuringcartridge including at least at least one biological sample holdingsection, each biological sample holding section of the at least onebiological sample holding section being configured to contain thebiological sample; and a respective pair of electrical conductivesections respectively fixed to each biological sample holding section,one electrical conductive section in the pair of electrical conductivesections being respectively fixed to one side of a biological sampleholding section and a second electrical conductive section in the pairof electrical conductive sections being respectively fixed to anopposite side of a biological sample holding section; and at least oneclosing section respectively attached to and configured to be nestedinside each biological sample holding section to separate a sealedportion of each biological sample holding section from each respectivepair of electrical conductive sections.